Rotary engine.



No. 799,677. PATENTED SEPT. 19, i905'. W. SGHLUTER. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MARES, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET L.y

llllhml w WMZ/W MW@ PATENTED SEPT. 19, 1905.

W. SGHLUTBR. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MALZS, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z WILLIAM SOHLUTER, OF NEW HARTFORD, IOWA.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1905.

Application filed March 23, 1905. Serial No.v 251,640.

To all 1071/0111, it 'may con/cern:

Be it known that I', WILLIAM SCHLUTER, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Hartford, in the county of Butler and State of Iowa,have invented a new and useful Rotary Engine, of which the following isa specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in engines which areadapted for use in connection with air, gas, steam, or water, thoughpreferably driven by an expansive iiuid, such as steam.

The object is to provide an exceedingly simple structure whereinsteampressure rather than the momentum or speed of the steam isemployed, as in the case of the turbine, so that the expansive force ofsuch fiuid can be efiiciently utilized.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectionalyiew through thepreferred form of construction. Fig. 2 is a similar view, but showingthe coacting pistons in di'erent relation. Fig. 3 is a sectional Viewthrough a slightly-modified form of construction.

Similar reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in all thefigures of the drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated in the first two figures a casing-cylinderl is employed having circular communicating compartments 5, the innerportions of said compartments being defined by inwardly-extending wallportions 6, the inner ends of which are spaced apart a considerabledistance. In each compartment is rotatably mounted a piston 7, carriedby a suitable shaft 8 and having on one side only a radial extension 9,the opposite sides l() of which are preferably parallel. With theexception of this extension each piston is circular and is provided withperipheral gear-teeth 11, terminating at a slight distance from theopposite sides of the extension 9, leaving spaces 12.

The pistons 7 are spaced apart, and alternately bridging the spacebetween them are abutments 13, having rearwardly-extending portions 14.,spaced apart and forming sockets that receive the extensions 9, saidabutments being slidably mounted on said extensions and having end walls15, that are disposed radially with respect to the pistons. The slidingmovement of the abutments on the extensions 9 is limited by suitablestops 16 in the form of set-screws threaded into the inner sides of therearwardly-extending portions 14. and having their heads movably mountedin sockets 17 in the extensions 9.

They are urged outwardly by bowed leafl springs 18, interposed betweenthe ends of the extensions and the rear portions of the abutments, whichportions are curved, as shown, in order to provide pockets to receivesaid springs. The outer. edges of the abutments 13 are curved to conformto the curvature of the compartment-walls, against which they bearduring their rotation, and each abutment is, furthermore, provided withperipheral teeth 19, which mesh with the teeth 11 of the opposing pistonwhen the 'abutment bridges the space between said pistons. The teethterminate short of the ends of the abutments in order to provideelongated packing portions 20, which are adapted. to be received in thespaces 12, as will be seen by reference to Fig. l.

In the embodiment illustrated in the first two figures the engine isreversible and steam or other motive fluid can be introduced orexhausted from either side of the casing. For this purpose theinwardly-extending walls 6, above described, are provided with channels21, having oppositely-extendlng branches 22 that respectivelycommunicate with the compartments 5. A supply-pipe 23 is connected tobranches 24, which are coupled, as shown at 25, to the channels 21, anda valve 26 may be employed for directing the motive iiuid to either ofsaid branches. To the couplings 25 are also connected exhaustpipebranches 27, which may in turn be coupled to-a suitable exhaust-pipe 28,and each of these branches hasasuitablecontrolling-valve 29.

When the engine is to be run in a predetermined direction, the valve 26is turned so as to direct the steam or motive fluid into the properbranch pipe, and the exhaust through that branch is cut otf, while theexhaust through the opposite branch is opened, as shown in Fig. 1. Thussteam will be introduced into the cylinder' on one side of the pistonsand acting against the radial shoulders thereof, as shown in Fig. 1,will effect the rotation of said pistons, the same being alternatelygeared together by the teeth of the abutments of one meshing with thepistons of the other. As rapidly as the rear walls of the abutments passthe lower channels the spaces behind them are cut off by the frontshoulders or ends thereof, so that the exhaust will take place and nosteam escape without effective action. Furthermore, there can be noescape between IOO IIO

the pistons, as there is always one of the abutments bridging the space.between the same, as will be apparent. Moreover, it is to be observedthat the piston which is in action, or, in other words, which hasthesteampressure against it, is in gear with the idle abutment, and thuscomparatively great power is secured, for the reason that, in effeet, itconstitutes a small power-gear meshing with a large driven gear.

A slightly different form of structure isV ably mounted abutments 12a,said abutments also having smooth peripheries andoperating against thecurved walls of the compartments as wellas'against the opposing pistons,as will be evident. It isto be observed that the end walls of theseabutments are radially disposed with respect to the axes or' rotation ofthe pistons, but that they are of considerably less area.

An engine of this character involves substantially the same principle asthat heretofore described, but is designed more especially for highspeed. In this instance the two shafts are geared together, as indicatedin dotted lines at 13, which gears may be located exteriorly of thecylinder in a manner well understood. It is believed to be unnecessaryto further describe the structure, for it will be seen that its mode ofoperation is substantially the same as that above described.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent tothose slilled in the art without further description, and it will beunderstood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, andminor details of construction may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of the invention. f

Having thus described my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is- V 1. In a rotary engine, the combinationwith a cylinder having communicating compartments, of a rotary pistonjournaled in each compartment, each piston having a single extension onone side only, said extension having substantially parallel sides, anabutment slidably mounted on each extension and having radially-disposedshoulders at each end, said abutments each coacting alternately with theother piston between the ends of the abutment thereon, and asupply-channel communicating with the compartments between the pistons.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination with a cylinder havingcommunicating compartments, of inwardly-extending walls spaced apart anddefining the inner portions of said compartments, a rotary pistonjournaled in each compartment, each piston having on one side anextension, and an abutment slidably mounted on each extension and havingradially-disposed shoulders at its ends` said abutments each coactingalternately with the other piston between the ends of the abutmentthereon, said spaced walls being respectively provided With inlet andoutlet channels having branches that communicate with the 'compartmentson opposite sides of the said inwardly-extending walls.

3. In a rotary engine, the-combination with coacting rotary pistonshaving gear-teeth, of abutments carried by the pistons and havinggear-teeth, the teeth of the abutment on one piston intermeshing withthe teeth ofthe other piston and vice versa.

4. In a rotary engine, the combination with a cylinder, of coactingrotary pistons located in the cylinder and spaced apart, said pistonshaving peripheral teeth extending partially about the same, andabutments mounted on the pistons and alternately closing the spacesbetween them each of said abutments having peripheral teeth that meshwith the teeth of the opposing piston when said abutment is bridging thespace between the pistons.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination with a cylinder, of coactingrotary pistons located in the` cylinder and spaced apart, said pistonshaving projections and peripheral gear-teeth between the ends of thesame, abutments slidably mounted on the projections and alternate1y`closing the space between the pistons, each of said abutments havingperipheral teeth that mesh with the teeth of the opposing piston whensaid abutment is bridging the space between the pistons, means forintroducing motive Huid between the pistons and abutments, and means forurging said abutments outwardly.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

l/VILLIAM SCHLUTER. Witnesses:

LELA EVANS, EMILY L. CoNKINs.

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